Activity tracker Fitbit has partnered with FibriCheck in order to allow wearers to track their heart rates and pick up any irregularities. Wearable health tech is growing in popularity, meeting the needs of people who want personalised and accessible ways to track and monitor their health. We explore the insights behind this and why people are expecting more from health tech.
The partnership between Fitbit and FibriCheck signals the first CE-marked app that will available on Fitbit watches in the EU. The Belgian-based technology uses sensors and lights in the Fitbit watch that continuously measure the rate of blood flow through the wearer’s wrist. These measurements can then be seen on the watch instantly and shared with medical professionals through FibriCheck’s separate platform. “Our partnership with FibriCheck expands on this vision by offering an accessible way for people to detect irregular heart rhythms using their Fitbit smartwatch, helping them to potentially identify and monitor heart conditions like atrial fibrillation,” says Nicola Maxwell, Fitbit's EMEA director of health solutions and services.
Nearly half (44%) of people in the UK already own or would consider using smart wearable devices to monitor and analyse their daily activities and lifestyles. As people are increasingly looking to optimise their health, they're turning to wearables for the convenience, accessibility, and autonomy they provide, especially for health checks, which were once only available through medical appointments. Tracking biometric data has given people deeper insights into their health, and is driving the wearable tech industry to an estimated global value of $27 billion USD by 2022. While FibriCheck tracks heart rate for Fitbit wearers, Fitbit’s premium subscription service offers tailored workouts, creating personalised fitness challenges for members wanting to achieve specific health goals.
Luana Sambell is a Behavioural Analyst at Canvas8. She holds a degree in Commerce and an MSc in Consumer Behaviour. She’s passionate about cultural trends and retail innovations. Outside of work, you can find her exploring different cultures through food or catching live music whenever possible.
